Events

On December 14, OABC Members were invited to attend ‘Update on Oman’s foreign investment law’, in partnership with Dentons.

A Premium Member of OABC, Dentons was one of the earliest international firms to open its doors in Oman and has steadily grown to become the largest international law firm operating in the Sultanate. Dentons are truly in and of the community, with long-standing relationships with local business communities, governments and regulatory authorities.

The team offered useful information based on experiences spent advising on the new law, and shared a copy of their presentation with Members. We give special thanks to Jamie Gibson, Riaz Haq and Yaqdhan Al Busaidi, and the Dentons team for their willingness to address the OABC and share valuable time and effort in preparing this session for us.

On November 17th, OABC partnered with the U.S. Mission to the UAE and other sister Amchams in the region for a live webinar “What Comes Next: A Post Election Review” with Eric Ham.

On October 26th, OABC partnered with Amcham Bahrain to present a live webinar on U.S. Franchise Opportunities in the GCC, and this included an introduction to international franchise experts and information about U.S. brands interested in entering Oman or finding partners within the GCC.

The presenters discussed the impact of covid-19 on franchising and highlighted recent trends to be aware of as you explore opportunities in 2020.

“Sure, I have a LinkedIn,” is easy to say, and a profile is a cinch to set up.  But how can a professional take an average profile or company page to the next level on Oman’s fastest-growing professional platform?

The Oman American Business Center (OABC) hosted its first-ever LinkedIn training session for executives and business people in Oman on Tuesday, October 20, from 4 pm – 5 pm.
The session, entitled ‘LinkedIn Hacks with Mohammed Al Tamami’ helped equip leaders and businesses as they leverage LinkedIn for their daily work life and business.

The online event was open to both OABC Members and guests from the public, and addressed several topics, including why and how LinkedIn is different from other social media platforms; the basics of LinkedIn, how to create a clear LinkedIn strategy; understanding social media analytics, and troubleshooting challenges.
“Equipping individuals with clarity and getting people more comfortable with themselves as they leverage LinkedIn for their purposes is by far the most important and foundational aspect of this webinar and conversation,” says Mohammed Al Tamami, the main partner and presenter.

Mohammed Al Tamami is a Media Planning & Strategy graduate who spent 10+ years of his career working on global consulting and advisory assignments on innovation, technology and strategy, and is the Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer of a young and upcoming financial technology start-up that provides AI-driven capabilities for the financial services industry.

“We are extremely excited to support our members and guests by covering a topic that is especially appropriate for 2020. Like it or not, we’re living in a new digital world of ZOOM and online networking.  As the use of LinkedIn continues to grow in Oman and the region, every one of us has room to improve our strategy and tactics. As always, we are looking to help our members — CEO’s, business owners and other professionals— grow their networks and their business, to enhance their profiles, expand their reach, and make essential connections — in this case, online,” says Rebecca Olson, Executive Director of the OABC.
All members of the OABC received a free one-to-one consultation service with Mohammed Al Tamami after the session.

On October 10th, OABC partnered with Amcham Bahrain to present a live webinar on Doing Business with the U.S. Navy.

With the presence of the U.S. Navy in Duqm, the event included procedures followed by the U.S. Government to obtain products and services in Bahrain, Oman and throughout the region.

This event is part of AmCham’s mission to inform its members and the local business community about opportunities to do Business with the U.S. Government, and while it is usually two half-day workshops this session was condensed for an online event, as per the following:

Opening Remarks:

•   Qays Zu’bi, President, AmCham Bahrain
•   CAPT Timothy Griffin, Commanding Officer, Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVASUP), Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Bahrain

Overview: How to Do Business with the U.S. Navy

•  Rick Bauer, Director of Contracts, NAVSUP FLC Bahrain

Topics included:

•  U.S. government contracting process
•  How to register as a U.S. government contractor
•  Vendor payment process
•  Ship repair and support
•   Retail concessions on base
•  Common services & supplies needed: construction, housing, health care, office supplies, food, cars, logistics, and much more.

Thank you to each of our members and guests who attended OABC’s October Social on Tuesday, October 6th.

The evening was a relaxed chance to network and catch up with members in small groups of 5-6 for a few minutes at a time, with 32 (yes 32!!) raffle prizes drawn in-between break out sessions.

The event celebrated the reopening of several member companies, and we wish each the best in this new normal.
Thank you to all the evening’s sponsors, and also for the feedback, emails or calls we received after the event. We look forward to seeing each of you at the next online or in-person event!

The Oman American Business Center (OABC) will host a free informational session for Omani exporters interested in promoting their products in the United States.

The session will discuss how to attend ASD Market Week, one of the oldest and largest consumer trade shows in the US, now available for online attendance.

Though the show cannot be conducted in-person, many are anxious to get back to business, which is why the organisers announced plans to launch the Virtual Product Sourcing Platform, from October 2, 2020, to March 2021.

This virtual directory gives the 225,000 invited buyers and 2,700 vendors the opportunity to connect and conduct business-to-business meetings. Buyers can source new products, refill orders and schedule appointments all through the online platform.

This virtual platform enables vendors to showcase their products in an  easy to navigate directory.

At the end of the online trade show, exporters are also invited to attend a full scale, live edition of ASD Market Week on February 28-March 3, 2021, in Las Vegas, NV.

The show focuses primarily on wholesale of fashion accessories, housewares, gifts and toys, apparel, affordable footwear, holiday and seasonal merchandise, souvenirs and novelties, electronic accessories, bedding and bath, health and beauty products and general merchandise.

“Oman is one of only 20 countries in the world, and one of two countries within the GCC, that has a free trade agreement with the US,” explained Ali Daud, chairman of the OABC.

“In this exclusive club of trade partners there is so much untapped potential ready to be explored. This online opportunity is a fantastic chance for Omani exporters to engage with the world’s largest economy and fish in the world’s largest ocean.”

“We are extremely excited to support companies looking to attend this event,” said Rebecca Olson, executive director of the OABC.

“The first unique opportunity presented here is the chance to connect with buyers over a long period: rather than 2-3 days, attendees can plan meetings and make connections over several months.  The second opportunity relates to cost – typically to exhibit at a show in-person could cost upwards of US$20,000. This show will cost less than 1/10 of that price, and could provide value and help companies gauge whether or not to make the trip in-person in 2021.”

After the info session, those who wish to register for the trade show will have the experience and support of the OABC at their service.

All members of the OABC will receive specialised training over multiple days, focused on how to attend the trade show and make the most of the experience as a vendor.

While the info session is mainly focused on companies looking to export to the US, importers in Oman may also attend the session.

Many of the vendors exhibiting will have ‘Made in USA’ products available. Thanks to the FTA, these products enter Oman duty-free.

On August 27th, the OABC Board and staff along, with the newly appointed team at the U.S. Embassy in Oman gathered to host a virtual farewell for Andy Barwig.

The occasion also included a special lunch delivery by Corporate Member Mumtaz Mahal, sponsored by the U.S. Embassy. Andy has served as the U.S. Economic & Commercial Officer at the U. S. Embassy for the past three years and offered invaluable support to the OABC as a Board Member.

The OABC would like to wish Andy and his family the very best in his future endeavors.

We would like to thank each of our members and guests who attended OABC’s Speed Networking event. This event proved a fun and straightforward way to meet new people and do business in a unique format.

We truly appreciate the positive feedback and supportive emails and calls we received after the event, and we look forward to welcoming you for another high energy and effective event soon. Thanks as well to our media partner The Business Year for helping to invite more of Oman’s businesspeople to the session.

On August 17th, OABC’s members attended, ‘Oman Tax Update’, in partnership with EY.

The presentation from the team at EY covered information on several changes to the Oman Tax Law including VAT, Corporate Income Tax, and Excise Tax. Panelists include Alkesh Joshi, Partner – Oman Tax Leader & MENA Energy Tax Leader and David Stevens, Partner – MENA Indirect Tax Leader.

The team at EY also generously offered all OABC Member attendees a free one-on-one 30 minute VAT consultation at a time of their choosing.

We give special thanks to EY and their team for presenting and for kindly offering a free VAT consultation.